Ghana's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are set to gain momentum this March as the Black Stars embark on a trip to Vienna for a significant international friendly against Austria.

Scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026, the match will take place at the iconic Ernst Happel Stadium, with kick-off slated for 17:00 GMT. This fixture marks the beginning of a pivotal double-header aimed at toughening up the squad ahead of their journey to North America this summer.

After successfully securing their spot in the tournament, hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Ghana faces a formidable challenge in Group L, which includes England, Croatia, and Panama.

Austria presents a stern European challenge as they prepare for their own campaign in Group J, where they will meet the reigning world champions, Argentina, alongside Algeria and Jordan.

The Vienna match is just the start of a demanding week for Addo's side. Just three days later, they are set to face Germany on Monday, March 30.

These consecutive high-stakes fixtures against top-tier European teams are designed to mirror the intensity of the group stages, providing the coaching staff with a final opportunity to evaluate the squad's depth and tactical acumen.

High-profile encounters like these serve as an ideal platform for the team to establish their rhythm.

The coaching team believes that in order to compete at the highest level in Toronto and Boston, the players must first demonstrate their resilience in Vienna and Berlin.

After concluding the March friendlies, the focus will shift entirely to the opening whistle in Canada.

Ghana is slated to kick off their World Cup campaign against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday, June 17.

The journey continues to Boston on June 23for a much-anticipated clash with England, before the Black Stars round off their Group L fixtures against Croatia on June 27.

Ghana will be hoping that these European warm-ups will ensure the team is fully primed and ready to perform at their best by the time they reach the global stage.